Recommend a lightweight backpack for women

[Suz]

Hey!

So I've got a 10 year old Kathmandu Gluon Interloper 70 ltr capacity. It's maybe 3kg?? I'm trying to get the weight of everything I carry down at the mo. Once I've done that, I would like to replace my pack with something lighter as well.

I hope to have around 50-65 litre capacity. I know certain materials don't cope well in scrubby conditions - I can take the Interloper on those trips. I want a pack that is comfy to carry and practical. Having my hips take most of the weight is important to me.

So far I'm thinking about these: the GG Mariposa http://gossamergear.com/mariposa-ultralight-backpack-all-bundle.html
or maybe a ULA Circuit http://www.ula-equipment.com/product_p/circuit.htm
or Zpacks Arc Haul http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/arc_haul_zip.shtml.

Does anyone have any user reviews, warnings, recommendations or other suggestions to make? I am really looking for a lightweight long distance pack that complements and offers different usages than my Interloper (which can go on Tasmania trips). Particularly one that women have enjoyed using?? Also anyone's commentary on the longevity/hardiness of materials is helpful as a new pack is so very expensive.

[Strider]

Comfortable and practical? Gotta be Aarn.

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[roysta]

Suz, try the Osprey Exos 58, it's a Unisex pack weighing about 1.2kgs and is extremely comfortable.
Wildearth actually have them on sale until midnight at $218 and that's delivered.

[photohiker]

Ok, I'm not a woman

But, I have a GG Mariposa, an Exos 58 and a couple of Aarn packs (Peak Aspiration and Natural Balance). Haven't tried the ULA Circuit or the ZPacks Arc Haul, but I do hold ZPacks in high regard.

If you're looking to go light, I can 100% recommend the Mariposa. In terms of comfort, I have found the Mariposa very comfortable up to 15kg above that, I'd go Aarn or Exos depending on what gear I'm carrying. Volume is exactly the range you're looking for and the weight saving against traditional packs is excellent without sacrificing carry comfort. I've carried the Mariposa across Scotland twice (320km ea) the Sweden Fjallraven Classic (120km) and various other shorter walks in Australia including some in Tasmania.

Having a heavy duty pack for off track expeditions is a good option but for regular non devastating walks the Mariposa is my pack of choice. Light, sturdy and well organised with it's built in pockets etc and low weight.

[north-north-west]

The Aarns are reasonably light although not the lightest packs around but they are the most comfortable - and the balance system means a little extra weight is not noticeable. Can't recommend them highly enough.

[peregrinator]

The Aarns are reasonably light although not the lightest packs around but they are the most comfortable - and the balance system means a little extra weight is not noticeable. Can't recommend them highly enough.

Ditto that. For women, men, aardvarks.

[Tortoise]

Ditto that. For women, men, aardvarks.

But not for Tortoises.
Tim did every possible adjustment over many hours, but in the end we just couldn't make it work. Some peoples just have odd shapes. Bottom line is try it weighted, see how it feels.

[kitty]

Ive tried the ULA Circuit in Small. I really wanted to love it, I loved the purple fabric and loved the roll top and the hip belt was nice. But the volume, possibly due to being S, didnt suit me. ULA dont list the volume of the S, but it was not 68L and the main compartment was particularly v.small. I had to tie gear to the outside - clearly Im not an ULer. It was only comfortable to about 12kg, after that not much fun. It didnt work for me.
Then I got the Aarn Featherlite Freedom and love it - it has the same roll-top closure as the Circuit, but it has internal structure so it doesnt turn into a barrel, as well as the ability to expand the volume with front pockets. They swapped out the regular sports pockets with small sports pockets for me. Hope that helps.

[Squeak]

Dueter Air contact 50+10SL my wife loves hers, we've walked well over 1000kms with it and she has nothing but praise for then.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

As Tortoise said, when it comes to packs, different types fit different body shapes and advice over a forum wrt fit is not very helpful. Advice on things other than fit can be really helpful.

I have the ULA Circuit and had the complete opposite experience to kitty. Yes, the volume is a tad small (and perhaps slightly over advertised). But it was immediately insanely comfortable, well made, light weight - and rides like a dream up to 20kg (well above the recommended maximum weight).

I couldn't recommend it highly enough because my experience has been fantastic - best piece of new hear I've bought, without a doubt.

But will it fit you and agree with you body shape - no idea!

[kitty]

Bottom line is try it weighted, see how it feels.

100% agree and as south_aussie_hiker says we are all different, results vary.
Based on your short list, difficult to try them, but see if you can.

[madmacca]

From memory, some of those come in specific torso lengths, so you can measure yourself before ordering.

[Suz]

thanks guys. well i will add the aarn Featherlite Freedom to my considerations. there is a stockist in hornsby so at least i can try that one on. might exclude the ULA circuit then based on your feelings kitty. Mariposa still looking good tho. Shame no one has the Zpacks pack.

[madmacca]

Shame no one has the Zpacks pack.

Try posting over in the ultralight sub-forum - I know there are some Zpacks fans over there.

[Suz]

righto. thanks macca.

aarn owners, how are the aarn packs for sweatiness in heat? I see they have mesh back panels. that looks like one advantage over the mariposa.

i sweated so badly in my interloper on my last trip that it really started to stink! if i can avoid this with my next pack by sweating less it would be great.

[GPSGuided]

Have various packs with mesh and without mesh. When hot, there's sweat all round and those features make little difference except for those that really lifts the pack off the back eg. Asprey's Exo model. Even then, it's still a sweat bath when working hard. Personally I find my Aarn to be comfortable and sweats similarly to my Exos, perhaps a little more based on the area of shirt sweated out. But it's so unscientific.

[Strider]

I sweat a LOT but find my Guiding Light copes very well. I didn't get sweaty at all on the OLT last week.

[Bluegum Mic]

Suz if you are near hornsby I am a suburb away and have a ula circuit sml torso you can try on. I also have a north face alteo (tougher version of the osprey exos and uber comfy with a better frame) you can also try.

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[Suz]

thanks Mic